CAPE POND COMPANY ANNOUNCES 2005 "COOLEST DAD CONTEST" WINNER

Cape Pond would like to thank everyone who submitted essays and photos for our inaugural "Coolest Dad" Father's Day Contest.   Essays from around the country and the world came in by hand, mail and e-mail.   Each nominated Dad clearly qualified for the award in the eyes of their proud child, whether the child was age 10 or age 73.   Each essay was uniquely different from the next in presenting just how "Cool" their father was, and our Cape Pond judging team was faced with a very difficult decision making the award.  

Ten year-old Hannah Grimes from Gloucester, MA nominated her father Gary Grimes as " awesomely COOL " in her 220 word essay. (Hannah's English teacher at West Parish School had only just taught how to write in paragraphs!)   Based on Hannah's enthusiastic endorsement of her Dad, Gary Grimes has been selected as our grand prize winner for 2005.   The following is an excerpt from Hannah's essay:

"My Dad and I do tons of COOL stuff together... go for walks, have cookouts, watch COOL shows, go dirtbiking....   My dad and I do the Fishbox Derby together.   He made me a wicked COOL Fishbox derby car.   My dad and I spent lots of time working on it together.   The fist time we raced I made it to the final, that's how good he made it!   Fishbox derby is one of the many hobbies and things me and my COOL dad do together...   My Dad is as COOL as the in the Artic Ocean."

As the grand prize "Coolest Dad" winner, Gary has won our Cape Pond gift basket with a Cape Pond hooded sweatshirt, t-shirts, a cap, coffee mug and beer stein, koozies, long sleeve t-shirt, a water bottle, and a $50 dollar gift certificate. Gary will also be featured on the Cape Pond website and our newsletter.     For her winning nomination, Hannah has received a new Cape Pond pink "Coolest Gals Around" t-shirt.

Two runners-up were also selected out of the "Coolest Dad" essays submitted:   Magee Giarrosso from Rockport, MA for her great father, Tim Giarrosso an artist who has stayed passionate and true to himself; and Lynn Fodor from Staten Island, New York, who nominated her deceased dad who passed away at age 91 last September, after a life of providing for her and her family in the face of many struggles.   Both will receive runner-up Gift Certificates.   We would like to thank everyone who participated in this year's contest and we look forward to the "Coolest Dad" submissions for 2006.

Interview with Coolest Dad Gary Grimes:

• How does it feel to be "The Coolest Dad" 2005 Grand Prize Winner?
  "It feels great. I am very proud that my daughter thinks that much of me to enter me into the coolest dad contest."
• What would be your favorite part of being a Dad?
  "Spending time with my kids is the best part. Watching them grow-up and doing the right thing is the best part about being a dad."
• Did you know that Hannah (Gary's Daughter) entered you in this contest?
  Yeah I saw it the night before she brought it down to Cape Pond , I was totally surprise when we won.
• What is your best memory that you have of you and Hannah together?
  I would have to say last year's Fishbox Derby in Gloucester.   We got to spend a lot of time together building her car, and we actually finished in the top three.   Hannah was the only girl to place, and it was her first time doing the Fishbox Derby.
• Have you heard of Cape Pond before the contest?   If so what did you think of The Coolest Guys Around?
  Yeah I have bought many times before.   All the guys there are great.   The serv is awesome and its awesome how you guys stay so present in the community by offering things like a Coolest Dad Contest.
• How do you feel now that you are officially on of the Cool Guys?
  It's awesome, I can finally say I am officially one of the coolest guys around, and I have lots of cool guy merchandise to back it up.